Jul 24, 2015

Saturday July 24th 1993: The Mets are in Los Angeles in the midst of a three game series with the Dodgers. Dallas Green's last place Mets (32-65) took on Tommy Lasorda's third place Dodgers (51-46). The starters are Pete Schourek for New York & Pedro Astacio for L.A. Schourek gives up four runs, but the Mets tie the game on a HR by Dave Gallagher, an RBI single by Eddie Murray & sac fly's from Bobby Bonilla & Jeff McKnight. In the 8th inning, the Mets brought in pitcher Anthony Young. In the bottom of the 10th, Young walks pinch hitter Dave Hansen with the bases loaded to end the game. The loss puts Young at 0-13 on the season. Worst of all it was his 27th loss in a row, setting an all time major league record. Young had been used as a starter & reliever in that time dating back to the 1992 season. He actually did well as a reliever converting 12 straight saves in save opportunities.

After the game Vince Coleman was sitting with Dodgers; Eric Davis in his blue Jeep Cherokee. Coleman lights & throws a lit M80 firecracker toward a fence separating the Dodgers private parking lot & the fans. Coleman gets back in the jeep & the vehicle exits the Dodgers Stadium parking lot. The M80 fire cracker, went off approximately 25 feet away from a crowd of an estimated 200 people who were looking for post game autographs from Dodger players. A 33 year old woman, suffered inner ear damage, an 11 year old boy suffered bruises on his leg & a two year old girl suffers second-degree burns under her right eye and lacerations
of her cornea.

Coleman was in the line up the next night as the news spread, he went 0-5. In the mean time the L.A. County Police Department & Arson unit were busy filing Felony charges on Mr. Coleman. Vince Coleman did not comment directly to the media, instead the Mets Spokesperson Jay Horowitz made a statement on behalf of Coleman: "I take full responsibility for a very foolish act for which I am suffering greatly. It was never my intent to hurt anyone. My main concern is for those injured."

Mets VP at the time Gerry Hunsicker had some harsher words for Coleman and made it known his days were numbered: "It only involved the New York Mets because he is an employee of the Mets. In large measure, this is Vince Coleman's problem."

Coleman was a problem ever since joining the Mets in 1991 with a four year $12 million deal. Hamstring injuries constantly kept him out of the line up. He once injured Dwight Gooden swinging a gold club in the locker room. He once batted out of turn in batting practice and was told to come out of the cage by then manager; Mike Cubbage. Coleman went on a tirade cursing out his manager & refused to apologize. He then had another huge argument with his next manager Jeff Torborg & received another suspension.He appeared in just two more games as a Met, getting suspended for the rest of the season. Coleman was traded to the Kansas City Royals for Kevin McReynolds the following winter. He was lucky enough with the law, to get away with a fine, probation & serving community service in Los Angeles.